Linda P Ziemer

Our beloved Linda Ziemer (Miller) went home to heaven on September 26th, 2011. We are sure, waiting anxiously at the gate for her was her Mother, Pauline "Pat" Morse, her younger brother Michael Riley, her Aunt Margaret and Uncle Curtis Rutherford, among many others. They are all dancing and rejoicing with God, and it is beautiful and righteous to know that she is free once again. Linda is survived by her husband and best friend, Larry Ziemer. Larry never left her side during her courageous battle with ALS. His care, concern and love for her was evident in everything he did. Theirs' is a true "Love Story". Before being diagnosed, they spent years traveling, including Hawaii where they became engaged. They met in 1997 and were inseparable. Whether it was camping, hunting, or just day trips through the Cascade mountains or to the Pacific Coast, Larry and Linda were never short on adventure and fun times. They truly were soul mates, and if you only met them once, it was abundently clear to all how in love they remained throughout their lives together. Linda had three daughters, Myrna Schiavon and her husband Gus; Brenda Boback and her husband Bob; Debbie Miller and her wife Holly; and Lorie Ramsdell who was considered by my Mom and Dad to be their fourth daughter, as she was as much a part of Mom's life as any of us. Linda had four brothers and a sister, Curtis (Bud) Riley, Susan James, Jim Sutton, and Dan Sutton. Sue lives 16 houses away from Linda and was always right there for her little sister. You could often find them quilting together, or sharing their passion for gardening, and just being together. Linda loved visiting Bud's beautiful home near Mt St Helen's and Jimmy at the Longbeach, and loved it even more when they would come up to see her. The grandchildren and great grandchild lit up her world as much as she lit up theirs. Joshua, Christina, Jason, Cassi, Evan, Ashley, Calen, Tyler, Kile, Carter, and Lucy always made Mom smile with pride. She had numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, as well as many close friends throughout her life, and she treated them all with grace and love, and always with a smile. Linda was born in Longview, WA November 14, 1946. She graduated from Kelso High School, and soon after moved to California, where she lived for almost 20 years raising Myrna and Brenda with her first husband. She worked three jobs at times to keep food on the table, never waivering to provide for her family. She was an active part of their lives, managing their softball teams, spending time at the beach having bonfires and being a part of the infamous grunyon runs at midnight. She loved camping at Butterfield, and Christmas at Big Bear. You could even find her driving the team over to the coaches' house Rex and Ray, to make sure they had enough toilet paper :) There was never a dull moment around Linda. After Myrna and Brenda graduated from high school in 1984, Linda and her youngest daughter Debbie moved to back to Washington to live in Fircrest. Barely earning $600 a month with her childcare business, she moved into the home she purchased in 1986. She was a remarkable woman. A hard worker. At times, exhausted after her work day, she would always eat dinner at the table with Debbie, taking the time that we as families often forget about today. She never missed Debbie's games, often traveling to another state to cheer her on, always louder than everyone else. She was a Mom to all of her daughters' friends and teammates. They could always count on her. She was dependable, loyal and understanding. She was the "go to" Mom. Linda operated Linda's Daycare for 25 years. Her impact on many of these children's lives was so great that many of them, and their families, stayed in touch through her final days. Halloween was her favorite time to see them all as they grew up and it seemed they were always drawn back to Mom, if only for a hug, a smile, a moment. It was a feeling of true joy and love that was her gift to all of us. When Linda and Larry married in 2004, the joy on her face left no doubt that it was, by far, the happiest day of her life. She lived with such passion, grace, and most of all humility. You could always count on Linda to be honest and fair. She had unsurpassed integrity, and always did the right thing, even when it wasn't the most popular. The way she fought this disease is the way she lived her life. She continued to have hope, she never complained, never felt sorry for herself. She appreciated every day she was given and taught us to do the same. We were drawn to her for the way she made us feel, and instead of being there to comfort her, we were often comforted by her instead. Even when she could no longer move, you could see through her eyes into her soul, and she could see yours. As we all now know, she was determined to be a part of the ALS walk on Saturday the 24th of September. She was right there in front cutting that ribbon with Dad. It took every last ounce of strength for her to be there, but the stand she took was a symbol of the resolve and courage that she had her entire life. We can only strive now to find that courage within us to carry on the legacy that is Linda Ziemer. The hole in our hearts will never be filled, but Linda will live on in each life she has touched. Let us keep a little piece of her with us always, and each day find a way to make a difference, it is what she did her whole life, and what she would have wanted for us.